Method and apparatus for controlling a pointer display based on the handling of a pointer device

ABSTRACT

A pointing device includes a navigation unit that generates position signals that indicate where a pointer is directed. The pointing device includes a selection unit that generates selection signals that indicate that a selection is made. The pointing device includes a sensor unit that generates an active signal that indicates that the pointing device is being handled. A transmission unit is coupled to the navigation unit, selection unit, and sensor unit. The transmission unit transmits the position signals, selection signals, and active signal to a remote location.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This continuation application claims the priority of application Ser.No. 10/056,656, filed Jan. 24, 2002, which claims the priority of U.S.Pat. No. 6,411,277, issued Jun. 25, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of pointer devices.Specifically, the present invention relates to a method and apparatusfor controlling a pointer displayed on a graphical user interface basedon the handling of a pointer device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A current trend in the electronics and computer industry is theconvergence of the computer system and more traditional entertainmentsystem components. As this convergence continues, the computing power ofthe computer system may be utilized to enhance a viewer's televisionviewing experience. Convergent systems have already been used toretrieve, store, and display entertainment system data from sources suchas cable company databases, digital satellite systems (DSS), verticalblanking intervals (VBI) from broadcasts, the Internet, and othersources.

Graphical user interfaces have been used to allow viewers to access theentertainment system data on the convergent systems. The graphical userinterfaces may include selectable identifiers on a display of thetelevision next to video data from a broadcast. The selectableidentifiers may be selected to display the entertainment system data.The graphical user interfaces may include a pointer to allow viewers tonavigate through the graphical user interface. The pointer may be asmall arrow or other symbol on the display that moves as a viewer movesa pointing device. A viewer may select commands and options bypositioning the pointer over a desired selectable identifier andclicking a selection button on the pointing device.

In the past, graphical user interfaces on computer systems typicallyincluded a pointer that may be controlled by a pointing device such as amouse, trackball, or touch pad. The pointer typically was displayed bythe graphical user interface regardless of whether the pointer devicewas being used. In convergent systems, viewing un improving the viewingexperience.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A pointing device is disclosed. The pointing device includes anavigation generates position signals that indicate where a pointer isdirected. The pointing d a selection unit that generates selectionsignals that indicate that a selection is made device includes a sensorunit that generates an active signal that indicates that the t is beinghandled. A transmission unit is coupled to the navigation unit,selection unit. The transmission unit transmits the position signals,selection signals, and active signal to a remote location.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not by way offigures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicatesimilar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the system components of one errentertainment system according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a system contto the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a pointing device according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of modules supporting a pointing deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 a illustrates a side view of a pointing device according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 b illustrates a bottom view of a pointing device according to anembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method for displaying a pointer ona according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating system components of a convergententertainment system 100 according to one embodiment of the presentinvention. The convergent entertainment system 100 includes a commoninput/output (I/O) bus 110 that connects the system components in theconvergent entertainment system 100 together. It should be appreciatedthat the common I/O bus 110 is illustrated to simplify the routing ofsignals between the convergent entertainment system components. Thecommon I/O bus 110 may represent a plurality of known mechanisms andtechniques for routing I/O signals between the convergent entertainmentsystem components. For example, the common I/O bus 110 may include anappropriate number of independent audio “patch” cables that rout audiosignals, coaxial cables that rout video signals, two-wire serial linesor infrared or radio frequency transceivers that rout control signals,or other routing mechanisms that rout other signals.

In the illustrated embodiment, the convergent entertainment system 100includes a television/monitor 121, video recorder/playback device 122,digital video disk (DVD) recorder/playback device 123, audio/video tunerand amplifier 124, audio playback/recorder device 125, and compact diskplayer 126 coupled to the common I/O bus. The video recorder/playbackdevice 122, DVD recorder/playback device 123, audio playback/recorderdevice 125, and compact disk player 126 may be single disk or singlecassette devices, or alternatively may be multiple disk or multiplecassette devices.

In addition, the convergent entertainment system 100 includes a speakersystem 131, microphone 132, video camera 133, and a wireless I/O controldevice 134. In one embodiment, wireless I/O control device 134 is anentertainment system remote control unit, which communicates with thecomponents of the convergent entertainment system 100 through IRsignals. In another embodiment, wireless I/O control device 134 may be awireless keyboard and pointer-positioning device that communicates withthe components of convergent entertainment system 100 through IR signalsor RF signals. In yet another embodiment, wireless I/O control device134 may be an IR remote control device similar in appearance to atypical entertainment system remote control with the added feature of atrack-ball, finger pad, joystick, or other navigational mechanisms whichallows a user to position a pointer on a display of the convergententertainment system 100.

The convergent entertainment system 100 also includes a systemcontroller 140.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the systemcontroller 140 operates to store and display entertainment system dataavailable from a plurality of entertainment system data sources.According to another embodiment of the present invention, the systemcontroller 140 is configured to control a wide variety of featuresassociated with each of the system components. As shown in FIG. 1, thesystem controller 140 is coupled, either directly or indirectly, to eachof the convergent entertainment system components, as necessary, throughI/O bus 110. In one embodiment, in addition to or in place of I/O bus110, system controller 140 is configured with a wireless communicationtransmitter (or transceiver), which is capable of communicating with thesystem components via IR signals or RF signals 110′. Regardless of thecontrol medium, the system controller 140 is configured to control oneor more of the convergent entertainment system components of theconvergent entertainment system 100, although it is understood that eachof the components may be individually controlled with wireless I/Ocontrol device 134.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the convergent entertainment system 100 may beconfigured to receive entertainment selections and entertainment systemdata from various entertainment selection sources. In one embodiment,the convergent entertainment system 100 receives entertainmentselections and entertainment system data from any or all of thefollowing sources: cable broadcast 141, satellite broadcast 142 (e.g.,via a satellite dish), very high frequency (VHF) or ultra high frequency(UHF) radio frequency communication of the broadcast networks 143 (e.g.,via an aerial antenna), telephone/computer network broadcast 144, and/orinformation stored locally at system controller 140 or another componentof the entertainment system 100. Further, it will be appreciated by oneskilled in the art, that cable broadcast input 141, satellite broadcastinput 142 and VHF/UHF input 143 may receive input from digital broadcastprogramming and digital cable programming. The cable broadcast input141, satellite broadcast input 142, VHF/UHF broadcast input 143, andtelephone/computer network broadcast input 144 may be received by theaudio/video tuner and amplifier 124, the system controller 140, or othercomponent on the convergent entertainment system 100.

Although the present invention is described in the context of theexemplary embodiments presented in the figures, those skilled in the artwill appreciate that the present invention is not limited to theseembodiments and may be practiced in a variety of alternate embodiments.Accordingly, the innovative features of the present invention may bepracticed in a system of greater or lesser complexity than that of thesystem depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a computersystem 200 that may be used to implement the system controller 140according to the present invention. The computer system 200 includes aprocessor 201 that processes data signals. The processor 201 may be acomplex instruction set computer (CISC) microprocessor, a reducedinstruction set computing (RISC) microprocessor, a very long instructionwork (VLIW) microprocessor, a processor implementing a combination ofinstruction sets, or other processor device. FIG. 2 shows an example ofthe present invention implemented on a single processor computer system200. However, it is understood that the present invention may beimplemented in a computer system having multiple processors. Theprocessor 201 is coupled to a CPU bus 210, which transmits data signalsbetween processor 201 and other components in the computer system 200.

As an example, memory 213 may be a dynamic random access memory (DRAM)device, a static random access memory (SRAM) device, or other memorydevice. The memory 213 stores data signals that are executed by theprocessor 201. A bridge memory controller 211 is coupled to the CPU bus210 and the memory 213. The bridge memory controller 211 directs datasignals between the processor 201, the memory 213, and other componentsin the computer system 200 and bridges the data signals from thesecomponents to a first I/O bus 220. The first I/O bus 220 may be a singlebus or a combination of multiple buses. As an example, the first I/O bus220 maybe a high performance I/O bus that operates at high throughputrates. The first I/O bus 220 may include for example a PeripheralComponents Interconnect (PCI) bus, a Personal Computer Memory CardInternational Association (PCMCIA) bus, a NuBus, or other buses. Thefirst I/O bus 220 provides communication links between components in thecomputer system 200. A network controller 221 is coupled to the firstI/O bus 220. The network controller 221 links the computer system 200 toa network of computers and supports communication among the machines. Adisplay device controller 222 is coupled to the first I/O bus 220. Thedisplay device controller 222 allows coupling of a display device (notshown) to the computer system 200 and acts as an interface between thedisplay device and the computer system 200. The display devicecontroller 222 may be a monochrome display adapter (MDA) card, a colorgraphics adapter (CGA) card, an enhanced graphics adapter (EGA) card, anextended graphics array (XGA) card or other display device controller.The display device may be a television set, a computer monitor, a flatpanel display or other display device. The display device receives datasignals from the processor 201 through the display device controller 222and displays the information and data signals to the user of thecomputer system 200. According to an embodiment of the presentinvention, the display device may be implemented by thetelevision/monitor 121 (shown in FIG. 1).

A second I/O bus 230 may be a single bus or a combination of multiplebuses. The second I/O bus 230 may include an Industry StandardArchitecture (ISA) bus, an Extended Industry Standard Architecture(EISA) bus, or other buses. The second I/O bus 230 providescommunication links between components in the computer system 200. Adata storage device 231 is coupled to the second I/O bus 230. The datastorage device 231 may be a hard disk drive, a floppy disk drive, aCD-ROM device, or other mass storage device. A keyboard interface 232 iscoupled to the second I/O bus 230. The keyboard interface 232 may be akeyboard controller or other keyboard interface. The keyboard interface232 may be a dedicated device or can reside 25 in another device such asa bus controller or other controller. The keyboard interface 232 allowscoupling of a keyboard to the computer system 200 and transmits datasignals from a keyboard to the computer system 200. An audio controller233 is coupled to the second I/O bus 230. The audio controller 233operates to coordinate the recording and playing of sounds. A wirelesscommunications interface 234 is coupled to the second I/O bus 230. Thewireless communications interface 234 may be an IR transceiver or a RFtransceiver for transmitting and receiving signals between systemcomponents of the convergent entertainment system 100 (shown in FIG. 1).

A bus bridge 223 couples the first I/O bus 220 to the second I/O bus230. The bus bridge 223 operates to buffer and bridge data signalsbetween the first I/O bus 220 and the second I/O bus 230.

According to one embodiment, displaying a pointer on a display device isperformed by the computer system 200 in response to the processor 201executing sequences of instructions contained in the memory 213. Suchinstructions may be read into the memory 213 from othercomputer-readable mediums such as data storage device 231 or from acomputer connected to the network via the network controller 211.Execution of the sequences of instructions contained in the memory 213causes the processor to display the pointer on the display device, aswill be described hereafter. In alternative embodiments, hard-wirecircuitry may be used in place of or in combination with softwareinstructions to implement the present invention. Thus, the presentinvention is not limited to any specific combination of hardwarecircuitry and software.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a pointing device 300 according to anembodiment of the present invention. The pointing device 300 may beimplemented as the wireless I/O control device 134 (shown in FIG. 1).The pointing device 300 includes a navigation unit 310. The navigationunit 310 generates position signals indicating where a pointer is to bedirected on a display device. The position signals may include signalsthat describe a coordinate on a defined coordinate system to move thepointer. The navigation unit 310 includes a position input unit (notshown) that allows a viewer to direct the positioning of the pointer.The position input unit may be a trackball, a touch pad, joystick, aplurality of navigation buttons, or other position input device.

The pointing device 300 includes a selection unit 320. The selectionunit 320 generates selection signals indicating when a selection ismade. The selection unit 320 may include a button or other selectiondevice on the pointing device 300. A viewer handling the pointing device300 makes a selection by positioning the pointer with the navigationunit 310 onto a selectable identifier on the graphical user interfaceand pushing the button in the selection unit 320.

The pointing device 300 includes a sensor unit 330. The sensor unit 330generates an active signal indicating that the pointing device 300 isbeing handled. The sensor unit 330 may include a pressure sensor, amotion sensor, or other sensing device that detects when the pointingdevice 300 is being handled. The sensor unit 330 may be configured onthe pointing device 300 such that the sensor unit 330 is triggeredwhenever the navigation unit 310 or the selection unit 320 is beingused. According to an embodiment of the present invention, thesensitivity of the sensor unit 330 may be set such that certain types ofhandling of the pointing device 300 will not trigger the sensor unit330.

The pointing device 300 includes a transmission unit 340. Thetransmission unit 340 is coupled to the navigation unit 310, selectionunit 320, and sensor unit 330. The transmission unit 340 receives theposition signals from the navigation unit 310, the selection signalsfrom the selection unit 320, and the active signal from the sensor unit330. The transmission unit 340 transmits the position signals, selectionsignals, and active signal to a remote location. The transmission unit340 may include an IR transmitter, an RF transmitter, or othertransmitting device. According to an embodiment of the presentinvention, the transmission unit 340 transmits the position signals,selection signals, and active signal to the wireless communicationsinterface 234 (shown in FIG. 2) of the computer system 200. It should beappreciated that the navigation unit 310, selection unit 320, sensorunit 330, and transmission unit 340 may be implemented using any knowncircuitry or technique.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of modules 400 supporting the pointing device300 (shown in FIG. 3) according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, themodules 400 are implemented in software and reside in main memory 213(shown in FIG. 2) of the computer system 200 (shown in FIG. 2) assequences of instructions. It should be appreciated that the modules 400may be implemented by hardware as components coupled to the bus 220(shown in FIG. 2) or a combination of both hardware and software. Themodules 400 may be implemented in a device driver for the pointingdevice 300. The modules 400 include a pointer positioning unit 410. Thepointer positioning unit 410 moves a position of a pointer presented ona display device in response to position signals received from thepointing device 300. The modules 400 include a selection indication unit420. The selection indication unit 420 notifies the computer system 200that a selectable identifier on a graphical user interface has beenselected in response to selection signals received from the pointingdevice 300. The modules 400 include a pointer display unit 430. Thepointer display unit 430 displays the pointer on the display device inresponse to an active signal received from the pointing device 300.After the pointer display unit 430 stops receiving an active signal fromthe pointing device 300, the pointer display stops displaying thepointer or “hides” the pointer on the display device and allows videoimages on the display device to be displayed unobstructed by thepointer. According to an embodiment of the present invention, thepointer display unit 430 includes a timer unit (not shown) that allowsthe pointer display unit 430 to stop displaying the pointer after apredefined period of time after the active signal is not received fromthe pointing device 300.

The pointer positioning unit 410, the selection indication unit 420, andthe pointer display unit 430 may be implemented using any knowncircuitry or technique. In an embodiment of the present invention wherethe modules 400 are implemented in hardware, the pointer positioningunit 410, the selection indication unit 420, and the pointer displayunit 430 all reside on a single semiconductor substrate.

FIG. 5 a illustrates a side view of a pointing device 500 according toan embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 5 b illustrates a bottomview of the pointing device 500. The pointing device 500 may beimplemented as the pointing device 300 shown in FIG. 3. The pointingdevice 500 includes a position input unit 510. The position input unit510 allows a person handling the pointing device 500 to direct aposition of a pointer on a graphical user interface. The position inputunit 510 shown on the pointing device 500 is a trackball. It should beappreciated that the position input unit 510 may alternatively include afinger pad, a joy stick, a plurality of navigation buttons, or otherinput device.

The pointing device 500 includes selection buttons 520. The selectionbuttons 520 allows a person handling the pointing device 500 toselection options on a graphical user interface by positioning a pointeronto a selectable identifier and pushing one of the selection buttons520. It should be appreciated that other selection devices may be usedin place of the selection buttons 520.

The pointing device 500 includes pressure sensor 530. When depressed,the pressure sensor 530 detects that the pointing device 500 is beinghandled. The pressure sensor 530 is positioned at the side surfaces 550of the pointing device 500 and on the bottom surface 575 of the pointingdevice 500 (see FIG. 5 b). By positioning the pressure sensor 530 atlocations on the pointing device 500 where a person wishing to use thepointing device 500 would have to depress the pressure sensor 530, thepressure sensor 530 is able to detect whenever the pointing device isbeing handled. The sensor unit 330 (shown in FIG. 3) generates an activesignal in response to the pressure sensor 530 detecting that thepointing device 500 is being handled. It should be appreciated thatother sensing devices such as a motion sensor, a touch sensitivetrigger, or other sensing device may be used in place of the pressuresensor 530. It should also be appreciated that the pressure sensor 530or other sensing device may be positioned at other locations on thepointing device 500 than that illustrated in FIGS. 5 a and 5 b. Thepointing device 500 also includes additional selection buttons 540 thatallows a person handling the pointing device 500 to make programmingselections.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method for displaying a pointer ona display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Atstep 601, it is determined whether a pointing device is being handled.If the pointing device is being handled, control proceeds to step 602.If the pointing device is not being handled, control proceeds to step603. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the step ofdetermining whether the pointing device is being handled is achieved bymonitoring an interface for an active signal from the pointing device.

At step 602, the pointer is displayed on the display device.

At step 603, the pointer is hidden on the display device. According toan embodiment of the present invention, hiding the pointer on thedisplay device is performed after a predetermined period of time afterthe pointing device has stopped being handled.

In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described withreferences to 10 specific embodiments thereof. It will, however beevident that various modifications and changes may be made theretowithout departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention.The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in anillustrative rather than restrictive sense.

1. A wireless remote control unit for an entertainment systemcomprising: a sensor unit that generates an active signal to display apointer on a display device of the entertainment system independent ofthe selection of any position direction, any command, and any option;and a transmission unit, coupled to the navigation unit, to transmit theactive signal to a wireless receiver of an entertainment system.
 2. Theunit of claim 1, wherein the sensor unit comprises a pressure sensor. 3.The unit of claim 2, wherein the pressure sensor is located where aperson using the wireless remote control unit would have to depress it.4. The unit of claim 2, wherein the pressure sensor is located on thebottom of the wireless remote control unit.
 5. The unit of claim 1,wherein the sensor unit comprises a motion sensor.
 6. The unit of claim1, further comprising a navigation unit to generate position signals todirect the position of the pointer on the display device and wherein thetransmission unit further transmits the position signals to the wirelessreceiver of the entertainment system.
 7. The unit of claim 6, whereinthe navigation unit comprises a trackball.
 8. The unit of claim 6,wherein the navigation unit comprises a finger pad.
 9. The unit of claim6, wherein the navigation unit comprises a plurality of navigationbuttons.
 10. The unit of claim 1, further comprising a selection unit togenerate selection signals indicating a selection of an option relatedto the position of the pointer on the display device and wherein thetransmission unit further transmits the selection signals to thewireless receiver of the entertainment system.
 11. A pointing device,comprising: a navigation unit to generate position signals indicatingwhere a pointer is to be directed on a display device; a selection unitto generate selection signals indicating when a selection is made; asensor unit, independent of the navigation unit and the selection unit,to generate an active signal indicating that the pointing device isbeing handled; and a transmission unit coupled to the navigation unit,the selection unit and the sensor unit to receive the position signals,the selection signals and the active signal and transmit them to aremote location.
 12. The pointing device of claim 11, wherein theposition signals describe a coordinate on a defined coordinate system ofthe display device to move the pointer.
 13. The pointing device of claim11, wherein the navigation unit comprises at least one of a trackball, atouch pad, a joystick, and a plurality of navigation buttons.
 14. Thepointing device of claim 11, wherein the selection unit comprises abutton so that a user can make a selection by positioning the pointerwith the navigation unit and pushing the selection button.
 15. Thepointing device of claim 11, wherein the selection signals are effectiveto notify a computer system at the remote location that a selectableidentifier on a display device has been selected.
 16. The pointingdevice of claim 11, wherein the sensor unit is triggered when thepointing device is being used.
 17. The pointing device of claim 11,wherein the sensor unit is triggered whenever the navigation unit or theselection unit is being used.
 18. The pointing device of claim 11,wherein the sensor unit comprises a pressure sensor.
 19. The pointingdevice of claim 11, wherein the pressure sensor is located where aperson using the pointing device would have to depress it.
 20. Thepointing device of claim 18, wherein the pressure sensor is located onthe bottom of the pointing device.
 21. The pointing device of claim 18,wherein the sensor unit comprises a motion sensor.
 22. The pointingdevice of claim 11, wherein the transmission unit transmits to awireless interface of an entertainment system.
 23. The pointing deviceof claim 22, wherein the active signal is effective to display thepointer on a display device of the entertainment system.